He also said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to identify the miscreants involved in the attacks on Assam-registered vehicles.
“Five masked persons have so far been identified as being involved in the incident of August 19, particularly in the attacks on Assam-registered vehicles,” Dhar said.
More than 3,770 Assam-registered vehicles have so far been safely escorted from Meghalaya into Assam.
This included two private vehicles and five tourist vehicles.
The August 19 attacks on Assam-registered vehicles triggered tensions between the two states, with restrictions subsequently imposed on the movement of people into Meghalaya.
Guwahati, Aug 22: After a three-hour meeting amid tensions between Assam and Meghalaya, Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Saturday assured that strong action would be taken against those involved in the August 19 incident. He also said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to identify the miscreants involved in the attacks on Assam-registered vehicles.
“The Government of Meghalaya sincerely regrets the unfortunate incident of August 19, and I assure that strong action would be taken against those involved. A SIT has been constituted to identify all the miscreants involved in the case, particularly those responsible for attacking Assam-registered vehicles, and to ensure prosecution in accordance with law,” Dhar said at a press conference following the meeting.
Assam Minister Atul Bora represented the state at the meeting, which was held at Koinadhara in Guwahati.
“I attended the important meeting with the Deputy Chief Minister and senior officials of Meghalaya, along with senior officials of Assam. We had a threadbare three-hour discussion and took several resolutions with the consent of the Chief Ministers of Assam and Meghalaya,” Bora said.
Dhar informed that the president, vice-president and general secretary of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) had been arrested under the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order Act in connection with the incident.
So far, 15 FIRs have been registered in connection with the incident of August 19.
“Five masked persons have so far been identified as being involved in the incident of August 19, particularly in the attacks on Assam-registered vehicles,” Dhar said.
Regarding compensation for Assam-registered vehicle that was vandalised, the Deputy Chief Minister said the matter had been assigned to the Chief Secretary for examination.
“He will examine the matter. We will provide compensation as per law," Dhar said.
More than 3,770 Assam-registered vehicles have so far been safely escorted from Meghalaya into Assam.
The Assam control room has received 54 distress calls involving 175 people who were assisted with evacuation. This included two private vehicles and five tourist vehicles. The Meghalaya government, meanwhile, informed that its control room had received 379 distress calls and that steps had been taken to facilitate the safe transit of those stranded.
Movement of stranded vehicles
Most of the stranded vehicles, including approximately 400-500 vehicles, have crossed key transit corridors, including the Umiam Lake section.
“Any passengers in vehicles yet to be transferred to Assam will be safely escorted within the next 48 hours,” Dhar said.
Dedicated coordination mechanism
An integrated coordination mechanism would be established between the IG, Special Branch, Assam, and the IG, Law and Order, Meghalaya.
An online support forum will also be activated to assist in locating and facilitating stranded individuals. The helpline numbers provided are +91 81014888 and 0361-2381511. These mechanisms will remain operational until the restrictions are fully normalised.
Permanent district-level joint committees will be constituted comprising the Deputy Commissioner, Nongpoh, and the District Commissioner, Kamrup (Metropolitan), along with police officers of the corresponding level from both districts, to ensure that day-to-day issues arising along the inter-State border are resolved promptly.
Joint committee on tourist transport
A joint committee comprising commissioner/secretary-level transport authorities of both states, along with representatives of tourist vehicle associations, will be constituted to facilitate and regulate tourist transport movement and safeguard the shared tourism interests of Assam and Meghalaya.
Safe transit between the states
The governments of Assam and Meghalaya will take all necessary measures to ensure safe and secure transit arrangements. This will include facilitating the movement of vehicles travelling from southern Assam to other parts of the state, including the Barak Valley, to Meghalaya, as well as the movement of people from Meghalaya to Assam.
The Meghalaya government reiterated that it would take responsibility for the safety and security of tourists travelling from Assam and other parts of the country to Meghalaya during their stay and movement within the state.
The August 19 attacks on Assam-registered vehicles triggered tensions between the two states, with restrictions subsequently imposed on the movement of people into Meghalaya.
Bora said the Meghalaya government had assured Assam that the safety and security of people would be maintained.
